Entering his third season the pressure for Mario Cristobal is higher in the annual CBS Sports "2024 College Football Hot Seat Rankings: Evaluating the job security of all 134 FBS coaches." Cristobal is 12-13 in two seasons with Miami and has yet to win a bowl game or post a winning ACC record.
CBS Sports has 14 coaches with "5: Win or be fired", 83 as "4: start improving now", 19 who have "3: pressure is mounting", 49 who are 2: All good...for now", 44 who are "1: Safe and Secure" and "13 who are "0-untouchable" Cristobal was elevated to pressure is mounting from All safe...for now in 2023.
Other notable coaches listed with "pressure is mounting" are Scott Satterfield of Cincinnati, Ryan Day of Ohio State, Pat Narduzzi of Pittsburgh, Shane Beamer of South Carolina and Tony Elliott of Virginia. Miami does not play any of those teams in 2024 unless they potentially have an unlikely matchup with Pittsburgh or Virginia in the ACC Championship game.
The pressure is on Cristobal for Miami to live up to the consensus expectations in 2024. Cristobal is not in danger of being fired with another mediocre season in 2024, but the hot seat would be scorching in 2025 if that happens. Miami needs a breakout season in 2024 for multiple reasons.
Is Mario Cristobal on the hot seat at The U? 🙌@aaronmurray11 @TBob53 @LateKickJosh pic.twitter.com/atE9Vgv7QU
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) February 23, 2024
Cristobal is crushing it in recruiting. Miami has signed consecutive top 10 classes and is in position for a third in 2025. The 2024 Miami transfer class ranked 10th nationally. Miami will have its most talented roster under Cristobal in 2024. Miami should at least challenge for an ACC Championship Game berth in 2024.
The addition of quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez as transfers is significant for Miami in 2024. Miami is projected to have an elite offense in 2024 with Ward, Martinez, wide receiver Xavier Restrepo and three returning starters on the offensive line setting the foundation.
Cristobal has proven he is elite at acquiring talent. To get off the hot seat, Cristobal has to lead Miami to success that matches or comes close to what he achieved at Oregon. FIU won the Sun Belt in 2010 under Cristobal for the only conference title in its history. Cristobal led Oregon to the 2019 and 2020 Pac-12 titles.
Cristobal has proven he can lead programs to conference titles. That should come with Cristobal at Miami. To get off the hot seat, Cristobal needs Miami to show progress in 2024, contend for an ACC Championship game berth and potentially challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff.